Re-Roofing in Knowle
When repairs stop holding, a new roof done properly will see the house through the next generation. Stripped, re-felted, re-battened and re-covered by local roofers, with a 20 year written guarantee.
Signs a roof needs replacing rather than repairing
Repairs keep coming back
If you are calling a roofer every winter for a different slipped tile or leak, the fixings and battens across the whole roof are usually tired, not just the bit that failed.
Tiles delaminating or crumbling
Tiles that flake, crack in frost or have gone soft at the edges will keep failing. Replacing them one at a time stops making sense beyond a certain point.
Old felt or no felt
Many older roofs were laid with bitumen felt that has since become brittle, or with no underlay at all. From the loft you may see daylight or torn felt hanging between rafters.
Sagging along the ridge or slopes
A dip in the roof line can mean overloaded or decayed timbers. We look at the structure before quoting so there are no surprises once the tiles are off.
How we re-roof a Knowle house
Survey and written quote
We look at the roof, the loft and the timbers, then put in writing what will be replaced and what materials will go back on.
Scaffold and strip
Scaffolding goes up with edge protection. The old covering, battens and underlay come off and the timbers are checked.
Underlay, battens, covering
New breathable membrane and treated battens, then the new tiles or slates fixed to the current British Standard for slating and tiling, BS 5534, including mechanical fixing of tiles.
Ridges, verges and lead
New ridge and verge details, and new lead at chimneys and abutments where it is needed. Gutters checked before the scaffold comes down.
What to think about before you re-roof
Match the street, not just the house
Across Knowle you will see very different roofs within a few streets: older terraces near the Wells Road, the interwar council-built houses of Knowle Park and Knowle West, and later estates. We recommend a covering that suits the house and the roofs around it.
Weight is not a detail
Swapping one tile type for a much heavier one changes the load on the timbers. If a roof has already been re-covered in the past, we check what is on it now and what the structure was built to carry.
Conservation areas are different
There is no conservation area covering Knowle itself, but Arnos Vale and Brislington nearby both have one. If your house is in either, or is listed, materials may need agreeing first. We will tell you if that applies.
Ventilation and insulation
A new roof is the moment to sort loft ventilation. Getting this wrong traps moisture in the roof space, so we plan it as part of the job.
Re-roofing FAQs
How long does a re-roof take?
It depends on the size of the house and the weather. We give you an expected timescale with the quote and keep the roof weathertight overnight throughout.
Do I need planning permission to re-roof?
Generally not for a like-for-like replacement on an ordinary house. Listed buildings and some conservation area properties can be different, so check before changing materials. Ask us and we will point you to the right place.
Can you reuse my existing tiles?
Sometimes, where they are sound and the profile is no longer made. Usually new tiles are better value. We will say honestly which applies to your roof.
What does a new roof cost?
It depends on the size, the access and the covering. See our roofing cost guide for what drives the price, then ask us for a free written quote.
Is a re-roof guaranteed?
Yes, with a 20 year written guarantee. See our guarantee.
Conservation areas: Bristol City Council conservation area list and planning.data.gov.uk (Arnos Vale CA30, Brislington CA28). Tiling standard: BS 5534.
Thinking about a new roof?
Get a free survey and a written quote. No obligation, no hard sell.